This weekend was Hong Kong Seven’s rugby weekend. Or as Brenda calls it – “Executive Spring Break”. This is because it is a boys’ weekend to Hong Kong for 2 1/2 days of rugby, drinking and general debauchery.

The South Stands of Hong Kong stadium are the place to be – flowing with drinks, people dressed in costumes and packed bums to elbows. There is no place else in the world where you get competing teams (24 in total), strong nationalism and lots of booze…one would think a recipe for brawls. But not in this case – it is all good fun, with supporters of their country teasing others, everyone rooting for the Hong Kong team and almost everyone booing the French.

This was my seventh trip to the 7’s. I started going when we lived in Hong Kong in 2004 – my Canadian friend, Graham Perkins, showed me the ropes. Since then, I have broken in many a newbie. This year John joined me again for his year two, but Dan and Kent were the two new newbies.

We arrived in Hong Kong on Friday afternoon for the evening matches, then it was off to WanChai for a street party. Saturday was a early start, as the South Stands do “close” when they are full. That night, it was LanKwaiFong for dinner and drinks.

The elimination round is on Sunday with the finals Sunday night – then for our last night out in WanChai. Everyone made it back to Shanghai on Monday – livers sufficiently punished!